Aladdin Superman Movie lunchbox

The Aladdin Superman Movie lunchbox is a vintage lunchbox produced in 1978 to tie in with the release of the 1978 feature film ‘Superman’.

Background

‘Superman – The Movie’ is a feature film adaptation based on the DC Comics character Superman. Released in 1978, the film had the highest budget of any film up to that point and was shot back-to-back with its sequel Superman II.

The film made a star of Christopher Reeve, and featured pioneering special effects backed up by the claim on the poster that audiences would “believe a man can fly”.

The film grossed over $300 million on its release, and spawned a wide range of merchandise including toys, games, posters, action figures and a lunchbox produced in 1978 by Aladdin Indistries.

The Aladdin Superman Movie lunchbox

The box features a red border and handle, with graphics on the front, back and sides. The front of the box features an illustration of Christopher Reeve as Superman, flying through the air against the backdrop of a green sky and the Metropolis skyline with the film’s title log beneath him.

The reverse of the box depicts a scene from the film in which Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Perry White and Jimmy Olsen discuss a story about Superman in the Daily Planet news room. White holds a copy of the paper in his hand, which features the headline ‘Caped Wonder Stuns City’. All of the characters are drawn to resemble the actors playing them in the film, rather than how they might appear in the comic book itself.

The sides of the box show scenes from Superman’s origins and background. He is shown as a baby, as his parents prepare to launch him off the collapsing planet Krypton, and inside the capsule as it flies through space. Another panel shows him as a small child, lifting up a truck belonging to the Kent family, with the top panel showing Marlon Brando as Jor-El in front of General Zod, Ursa and Non as he banishes them to the Phantom Zone.

How much is an Aladdin Superman Movie lunchbox worth?

Like all vintage Superman collectibles the box is sought after by collectors, although not to the extent of earlier, rare boxes. The popularity and hype surrounding the Superman film meant that a large number of boxes were produced by Aladdin and they are relatively easy to come by today.

However, boxes in near-mint condition can still sell for up to $100 on sites like eBay, whereas boxes in used condition can sell for $30 - $60 depending on wear and tear.